Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-04-14
RETALIATION.

Tho President, In Reply to the American
, Fishery Union of Massachusetts. Inti-
mates that Retaliation VIII be Resorteu
to When the UNFOLDING of the Nattonai
Honor Demands Ii.
WASHINGTON, April 9.-President Cleve-
land Thursday sent the following reply to
communication from the American
Fishery Union of Massachusetts,, calling
his attention to the fisheries dispute, ana
suggest ting that the retaliatory acts passed
by Congress would be sufficiently exc
cuted, if the proposed retaliation was
confined to the closing of United States
markets to Canadian fish products:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, April 9, 1887. J
George Steele, Esq. President ADeTic1n Fishery
Union and Others Gloucester, Mass:
GENTLEMEN-I have received your letter late
IL addressed to me and have given full CO oslo-
ev.eion to the expression OF the views anu
wishes therein contained, in relation 10 the ex-
istinS differences between the Government OF
Greas Britain and the United States, engaged
in ifs ming enterprises, the privileges to whirn
they are entitled, either under the treaty sno-
ulations the guarantees of international
comfy and neighborly concessions. sincerely
trust the apprehension you express. OF UNJUST
and unfrendly treatment of American fishermen
1awf lilly found in Canadian waters, Will not %
real zed. But if such apprehension snoulo
prove to be well-founded earnestly hope tnas
no fault or inconsiderate action of any OF oui
citizens will in the least weaken the Just posi-
ton Of our government, or deprive US OF the
universal sympathy and support to which we
should be entitled The action or tnls au-
ministration since June, 1885, when the fishery
articles of the treaty Of 1871 were terminated
under the notification which had TWO years
before been gwen by our Government, mas
been fully disclosed by the correspondence De-
tween the representatives and the appropriate
parlaments of the respective governme nts,
with which am apprised by your letter you are
entirely familiar An examination OF TINS cor
respondence has doubtless satisfied you that IN
no case have the rights or privileges OF Amerl-
can fishermen been overlooked or neglected.,
but that, on the contrary, they have been sedu-
lousy insisted upon, and cared for by every
means within the control of the Executive
branch of the Government.
The act of Congress, approved March B 1887,
authorizing course of retaliation through
executive action, in the event of q continuance
on the part of the British American authorizes
of unfriendly conduct and treaty violations
affecting American fishermen, has deVolved up
on the President of the United States exceed
ing!y grave and solemn responsibilities, COM
prenending highly important consequences TO
our National character and dignity ana IN
volving extremely valuable commercial inter-
course between the British possessions IN North
America and the people of the United States.
understand that the main purpose OF your
letter is to suggest that in case recourse to the
retaliatory measures authorized by this acI
should be invited by unjust treatment OF our
fishermen in the future, the object OF such leg
islation might be accomplished by prohibiting
Canadian caught fish from entry INTO the pores
Of the United States
The existing controversy is one in which Two
nations are the parties concerned. The retail
alton contemplated by the act of Congress, is 10
be enforced, not to protect solely any partlcu-
lar interest, however meritorious or valuable,
but to maintain the National honor, and thus
protect all our people In this view, the VIOLA
ton of American fishery rights, and I'M
just or unfriendly acts toward portion OF
our citizens engaged in this business Is
but the occasion for action, and coss titute
q National afront, which gives birth to, Oh may
Justify retaliation. This measure once re-
sorted to, its effectiveness and value may well
depend upon the thoroughness and extent IF its
application; and in the performance of inter
national rights and the protection of our citi-
zens, this government and the people of the
United States must act as a initial intent
upon attaining the best result Of retaliation
upon a basis of maintenance of National
honor and duty.
A nation seeking by any means to maintain
its honor, dignity and integrity is engaged in
protecting the rights of its people. and II in
such efforts particular interests are injured and
special advantages forfeited, these things
should be periodically borne for the public
good.
An immense volume Of population, manu-
features and the agricultural productions. and
the marine tonnage and railways to which
these have gwen activity. all largely the result
Of intercourse between the United States and
British America, and the natural growth Of a
full half century of good neghborhood and
friendly communication, form aggregate of
material wealth and incidental relations of
most impressive magnitude. fully appreciate
these things, and am not unmlndful of the great
number of people who are concerned in
such vast and diversified interests.
In the performance Of the serious duty which
Congress has imposed upon me, and in the ex-
ercse upon just occasion of the power con-
ferred under the act referred to, 1 shall deem
myself bound to inf1ict no unnecessary damage
or injury upon any portion of our people;
but I shall, nevertheless, be unfinchingly
guided by sense of what the selfrespect
and dignity of the Nation demand In the
maintenance of these and in the support of the
honor of the Government, beneath which every
citizen may repose in safety, sacrifice of
personal or private interests shall be considered
as against the general welfare Yours very
truly, GROVER CLEVELAND